Pre-processor

• The C pre-processor is a process to add predefined functions and macros to our main code
automatically by the C compiler to transform our program before actual compilation. It is
also called as macro processor because it allows you to define macros.

• Types of Pre-processor Directive:

Statements which are used in pre-processor program are called pre-processor Directives.

1. File Inclusive Directives: These are files of declarations that can be substituted into your
program.

2. Macro substitution: You can define macros, which are abbreviations for C code, and
then the C pre-processor will replace the macros with their definitions throughout the program.

3. conditional compilation Directives: Using special pre-processing directives, you can

include or exclude parts of the program according to various conditions.

4. Miscellaneous Directives:

1. File Inclusive Directives:

Header Files: (#include)

• A header file is a file containing C declarations and macro definitions. we request the use
of a header file in our program with the C preprocessing directive `#include'.

• The header files names end with `.h'.

• Both user and system header files are included using the preprocessing directive `#include‘

• There are two ways to add header file in program-

#include <file>

#include "file"
Example: Creating an user header file
File name: arithmetic.h

#include<stdio.h>

int add(int a,int b)

{
return (a+b);
}

int sub(int a,int b)

{
return (a-b);
}

Example: use of an user header file

File name: program.c

#include<stdio.h>
#include “arithmetic.h”
int main()
{
int res;
res=add(10,5);
printf("sum=%d",res);
printf("\nsub=%d",sub(10,5));
return 0;
}
Output:sum=15
Sub= 5

2. Macro substitution:

What is macro:
• A macro is a segment of code which is replaced by the value of macro. Macro is defined by
#define directive.
Macro expansion: (#define)
Simple Macros
Syntax:
#define Template_name value

Note: Template_name replace with its value in program.

Example: #define upper 20

There are two types of macros:

1. Object-like Macros(simple Macros):
 • The object-like macro is an identifier that is replaced by value. It is widely used to
represent numeric constants. For example:
Ex: #define PI 3.14
2. Function-like Macros(Macro with Arguments):
• The function-like macro looks like function call.

Syntax:
#define Template_name(Arguments,...) (Expression)
Example:
#define MIN(a,b) ((a)<(b)?(a):(b))

Example:
#include<stdio.h>
# define rectanglearea(a,b) (a*b)
int main()
{
int a,b,area;
printf(“enter a & b value\n”);
scanf(“%d%d”,&a,&b);
area=rectanglearea(a,b);
printf(“area of rectangle is %d\n”,area);
}

3.Miscellaneous Directives: (#undef)

The #undef directive tells the pre-processor to remove the definitions for the specified
macro. A macro can be redefined after it has been removed by the #undef directive.
Syntax:
#undef Template_name(Arguments,...) (Expression)

Example:
# define rectanglearea(a,b) (a*b) //macro definition
# undefrectanglearea(a,b) (a*b) //macro undefined
# define rectanglearea(a,b) (a*b) //macro redefined

Example 1:

#include<stdio.h>
# define area(a,b) (a*b)
# undef area(a,b) (a*b)
int main()
{
int a=2,b=11;
printf("area of rectangle is %d", area(a,b));
return 0;
}

Output:
Error // area is not defined macro
Example 2:

#include<stdio.h>
# define area(a,b) (a*b)
# undef area(a,b) (a*b)
# define area(a,b) (a*b)

int main()
{
int a=2,b=11;
printf("area of rectangle is %d", area(a,b));
return 0;
}

Output:
area of rectangle is 22

Predefined macros:

1. __DATE__

2. __TIME__

3. __LINE__

4. __FILE__

4.Conditional compilation :(#ifdef, #ifndef, #endif)

Using conditional compilation, if user want, compiler to skip over part of code by using
preprocessing commands #ifdef and #endif

Syntax:

#ifdef macroname

Statement 1;

Statement 1;

#endif

Example 1:

#include<stdio.h>
# define rectanglearea(a,b) (a*b)

# define upper 2

int main()

int a,b,area;

#ifdef upper

printf("enter a & b value");

scanf("%d%d",&a,&b);

area=rectanglearea(a,b);

printf("area of rectangle is %d",area);

#endif

Printf(“\nend of the program”):

return 0;

Output:

enter a & b value

57

area of rectangle is 35

end of the program

Example 2:

#include<stdio.h>

# define rectanglearea(a,b) (a*b)

# define upper 2

int main()

int a,b,area;

#ifdef u

printf("enter a & b value");

scanf("%d%d",&a,&b);

area=rectanglearea(a,b);

printf("area of rectangle is %d",area);

#endif

Printf(“\nend of the program”):

return 0;

Output:

end of the program

Sr.No. Directive & Description

1 #define
Substitutes a preprocessor macro.

2 #include
Inserts a particular header from another file.

3 #undef
Undefines a preprocessor macro.

4 #ifdef
Returns true if this macro is defined.

5 #ifndef
Returns true if this macro is not defined.

6 #if
Tests if a compile time condition is true.

7 #else
The alternative for #if.

8 #elif
#else and #if in one statement.

9 #endif
Ends preprocessor conditional.